Royal Caribbean partners with Inter Miami, christens Icon of the Seas with Lionel Messi

MIAMI – Two South Florida icons came together Tuesday for a special celebration.

The world’s greatest soccer star, Lionel Messi, helped christen the world’s largest ship, Royal Caribbean’s brand new Icon of the Seas during a confetti filled celebration and blessing Tuesday night.

The Icon is the biggest cruise ship in the world, and it will call Port Miami home.

Royal Caribbean Chief Marketing Officer Kara Wallace said the alliance with Messi and Inter Miami was a no brainer.

“When you name a ship Icon of the Seas, it sets a really high bar,” she said.

The ship features 20 decks, six record-breaking water slides that make up the largest water park at sea, and at 1,200 feet long, the Icon will hold almost 10,000 people aboard.

“I’ve just been blown away they managed to maximize every single square inch of the world’s biggest ship,” said celebrity host Mario Lopez.

Lopez was on hand to host the event, and a part of the Messi mania on board included members of Inter Miami revealing their new jerseys and newest sponsor, Royal Caribbean.

“I’m a huge Messi fan much like millions of people all around the world,” said Lopez. “Dude is just really nice and down to earth and a family man.”

Watch 6 p.m. report below: